As the celebration of the 242nd anniversary of the birth of our nation approaches, the foundation for the remarkable experiment in democracy laid so ingeniously by our forefathers is under severe stress.

The country is perhaps as badly divided today as at any point since the Civil War. Things have gotten so bad that a new Rasmussen Poll found that 37 percent of Americans believe there could be a new civil war within the next five years. That should frighten us all.

There is nothing new about political divisions in this nation's past, both distant and recent. But the overheated rhetoric and the intensity and displays of incivility among politicians of both parties and private citizens alike have brought us to the boiling point.

According to Rasmussen polling, just before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, 50 percent of voters felt America was a more divided nation after the eight years of the Obama presidency. Since Trump’s election, 55 percent believe America is more divided.

Both sides seem intractable. The voices in search of some middle ground in Congress are few and far between. The politicians with the courage to wander off the reservation fear the wrath of voters. Many have chosen not to seek re-election.

Much of the rise in incivility can be traced to Trump, his infantile tweets and his inability to resist any opportunity to skewer those who disagree with him. Hopes that he would work to unite the country after he was elected president quickly evaporated. He continues to act as if he were in the midst of a presidential campaign, performing only before audiences certain to cheer him loudly.

In recent days, the most contentious issue has been immigration. Perhaps more than any other issue, it has been exploited by Trump to solidify support from his base. He has unfairly mischaracterized the contributions of Hispanic immigrants, stereotyping them as violent and failing to differentiate between those who are in this country legally — far and away the majority — and those who are undocumented. He also continues to put up hurdles to providing a path to citizenship for the undocumented, which is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans, including Republicans.

Trump's repeated attacks on the so-called fake news media — the exception being the bootlicking Fox News — have helped undermine the importance of facts in helping shape policy. Unfortunately, his attacks have to some extent succeeded.

What is the best way to counter today's toxic political atmosphere? By fighting fire with fire? By hitting back hard rhetorically? By following the lead of Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and others who called for harassment of Trump administration officials? Clearly, that last strategy is not the way to go. Not for Waters, who was forced to cancel events because of death threats, or anyone who cares about the nation's future.

Fight back, yes. But fight back with civility and intellectual integrity. In the long run, that is the only way to combat the bigotry and divisiveness that threaten to make a mockery of America's democratic ideals.